The Traitors’ celebrity version is officially in the works, the BBC has announced today.
After reports it would be landing on our screens in 2025, and rumours over who would be taking part, it was revealed at the Edinburgh TV festival that the nine-part spin-off has been commissioned, and we could not be more excited.
Claudia Winkleman’s hit murder mystery programme, which first aired on the BBC in 2022, took the nation by storm, and two seasons later (plus the US and Australian versions), we’re still obsessed.
Faithfuls Meryl Williams, Aaron Evans and Hannah Byczkowski took home the £101,050 prize in season one, while Traitor Harry Clark proved to be undefeatable and walked away with £95,150 in season two.
And while the likes of Maddy Smedley and Diane Carson have become stars in their own right, it’s now been announced that celebrities will be taking on the ultimate test of deceit, with the hope that the celebrity version will be filmed next year and air later in 2025.
Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment at the BBC said: ‘The Traitors has well and truly established itself as an unmissable highlight of the year and the news of a fourth outing, alongside a brand new celebrity version coming to the BBC, will take the series to a whole new level.
‘It will once again be fascinating for our audiences to see who’ll outwit, outplay, and outlast. Let the mind games begin!’
Mike Cotton, Creative Director Unscripted at Studio Lambert and Executive Producer for The Traitors said: ‘We are thrilled to be inviting some celebrities into our castle to come and play the game.
‘Seeing famous faces navigate the round table or don the infamous green cloaks will be unmissable TV, and what a double treat for the fans with Series 4 also confirmed too.
‘There’s a whole lot of exciting treachery and deception yet to come from the Highlands… Claudia’s going to have to pack some extra knitwear.’
Meanwhile, after Love Island’s Ekin-Su Culculoglu joined reality stars Brandi Glanville and Kate Chastain on the US version, rumours are circulating over who could be filming in Ardross Castle this year, including a huge Hollywood legend.
Here’s what we know about the rumours over the UK’s celebrity version, which we have our fingers crossed for, and the US one.
Courteney Cox
Friends star Courteney Cox was said to be at the top of the list for Traitors bosses before the celebrity version as even said to be taking place.
The Monica Geller actress was said to be ‘a real coup’, with an insider telling The Sun: ‘The fact the producers have a star from Friends in their sights shows the kind of calibre of famous faces Celebrity Traitors is aiming for.
‘After the show was announced, producers were swamped with calls from big names and their agents wanting to throw their hat in the ring — many of them a big surprise.
‘Courteney has always been a fan of the show, particularly as the British version has her mate Claudia fronting it.’
The 59-year-old actress previously shared her love for the show, begging Strictly host Claudia for a spot on the reality programme.
In a hilarious clip during the applications process of season two, Scream queen Courteney dressed the part with a hooded cloak, which she unveiled and pleaded: ‘Claudia, please can I do it?’
But her cries fell on deaf ears. ‘I’ve said this to you before, it’s a no,’ stressed Claudia.
’You cannot apply if you’re a celebrity or as famous as this one. Now… off you go.’
Liz Truss
Earlier this year, it was claimed former Prime Minister Liz Truss was in high demand by The Traitors bosses.
When asked on the Baftas red carpet about his dream line-up, producer Stephen Lambert told Deadline: ‘Liz Truss, I think she would be great,
‘It is very important on that show to be able to tell the truth, and also to not tell the truth. And you know, she would be challenged, possibly.’
A spokesperson for Truss later told The Standard: ‘Liz is a massive fan of The Traitors, but nothing the contestants do comes close to the scheming and deceit in Parliament.
‘She will instead be focusing on delivering for her South West Norfolk constituents.’
Rylan Clark
While bosses had previously denied a celebrity version taking place, they did tell Metro.co.uk that Rylan Clark would be a part of the dream line-up.
After the first series aired, executive producer Sarah Fay said: ‘I think we’d want people who are so invested in the game and want to play the game, and I think that’s what brings the drama so well.
‘We’ve been blown away by some of our celebrity support.’
She continued: ‘I’d love to see Rylan [Clark], he’d be incredible, but also Kathy Burke is a fan. I mean Russell T Davies is a fan.’
‘I think I’d want very much a mixture of different types of celebs as well,’ she added.
Kathy Burke
‘To see Kathy Burke calling someone out at the roundtable could be pretty good,’ executive producer Toni Ireland added to Metro.co.uk.
And comedian Kathy was just as invested in the game as the rest of us, declaring the sides she took on X.
‘Amanda was fab, yes but Wilf is playing the best game. A mate said earlier they want a faithful to win but all they’ve done is sit around getting everything wrong and crying. F**k em. Team Wilf!’ Kathy tweeted.
Krishnan Guru-Murthy
Channel 4 newsreader Krishnan Guru-Murthy gave a very different BBC One competition a spin last year, as he took to the Strictly Come Dancing floor.
And why not The Traitors too? While he’s not officially been rumoured yet, the presenter already has the look down, having teased that he kept his Strictly identity a secret thanks to a subtle Traitors cloak.
He revealed: ‘The Traitors cloak they made me wear to keep the secret going into the BBC.’
And it certainly got stars of the show excited, as season one star Maddy commented: ‘Awww I’m really rooting for you already! 100 faithful I can tell x.’
Her co-star Rayan Rachedi added: ‘Idk wearing a traitors cloak is a bit sus so I’m going to have to vote for you here.’
Alison Hammond
Of course, there couldn’t be a celebrity version without the queen of TV herself.
The This Morning host already has For The Love of Dogs, the Bake Off, and Big Brother under her belt, so why not The Traitors too?
And she’s already had a go, teaming up with Danny Dyer and Dame Mary Berry for a Comic Relief sketch, which also featured Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders.
The following year’s Comic Relief sketch saw Bridgerton star Jonathan Bailey and former Britain’s Got Talent judge David Walliams.
Jason Manford
Comedian Jason Manford threw his hat in the ring to star in the celebrity special just weeks after the original series first aired.
‘Just finished “The Traitors” on @BBCOne!’ he penned. ‘No idea how I managed to avoid any spoilers but what a brilliant bit of telly! Loved it!’
Turning his attention to presenter Claudia, he continued: ‘@ClaudiaWinkle the perfect host. If they do a celeb version, I’m throwing my hat in the ring now! Catch it on iPlayer if you haven’t managed it yet!’
Adam Woodyatt
EastEnders legend Adam Woodyatt previously revealed he would definitely be up for a celebrity version of The Traitors, and almost has his look ready.
Back in January, the Ian Beale actor tuned in to watch the drama unfold just like the rest of us, and he even shared a very Traitors-style picture.
Sharing a picture on Instagram, the actor wrote: ‘All caught up on @bbciplayer and waiting for tonight’s episode.
‘If they ever do a celeb version of #traitors I would walk to Scotland to be part of it!!’
Claudia herself previously admitted she’d be keen for Adam to take part, also throwing a few other names in the ring…
Victoria Coren Mitchell
Asked who she’d like to see on a celebrity version, Claudia said last year: ‘Victoria Coren Mitchell so I can cuddle her – I know her, that sounds weird – Adam Woodyatt, always. Andrew Garfield and I’ll have Stephen Fry as well.’
According to odds by Gambling.com, Victoria and her husband David Mitchell both stand at odds of 4/1 to appear on the show, behind Scarlett Moffatt at 3/1 and ahead of Vanessa Feltz at 9/2.
Matt Hancock and Nigel Farage
We’re not quite sure it’s a sight we’d want to see, but after their stints in the jungle, who knows what’s next?
Nigel Farage followed Matt Hancock on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! with the former Health Secretary also appearing on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.
And now the odds of them appearing on The Traitors as members of the celebrity cast, with politician John Bercow having had a stint on the US version, are fairly likely.
Hancock stands at 2/1 while Farage is at 5/2, according to Gambling.com.
Coleen Rooney and Rebekah Vardy
Where better for a Wagatha Christie reunion than the famous Scottish castle.
And we know there’s no better detective around than Coleen Rooney, after the infamous 2019 libel case saw Wayne Rooney’s wife accuse Rebekah Vardy of leaking ‘false stories’ about her to the press.
It turned into a play, a Disney+ series, the topic of several podcasts, and was dramatized in a Channel 4 show.
But instead of those famous words ‘It’s…….. Rebekah Vardy’s account,’ we’ll instead be hearing who the Traitors are…
I’m A Celebrity star Vardy was said to be rumoured for Celebrity Big Brother, and now she stands at odds of 6/4 for The Traitors.
Meanwhile, Rooney is less likely to appear, at odds of 6/1, but we’ll still be keeping our fingers crossed.
Anna Kendrick
According to social media clips, it looked like Pitch Perfect actress Anna Kendrick could be taking part in The Traitors US this year.
The Super TV News account reported on X: ‘Anna Kendrick is currently in The Traitors Castle in Scotland among several other influencers, filming promo for The Traitors USA with Peacock.’
Though Metro.co.uk understands the rumours are sadly not true, fans were pretty excited as Anna was joined in a teaser pic by Dance Moms star Chloe Lukasiak and other influencers.
Singer Kelley Jakle, who was also pictured on the famous portrait wall, shared several clips on her Instagram featuring the stars in the castle, however, the actual cast has yet to be revealed.
Metro.co.uk has approached the BBC and Studio Lambert for comment.
This article was first published on April 18, 2024.
The Traitors is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
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